plate no. 6749

Miniature of the Earl of Westmorland with His Twelve Children

oilInternational Gothicillustrationfiguresreligious scenetextpatterned backgroundrobes

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in stylized poses and creating intricate patterns. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve the jewel-toned hues characteristic of the International Gothic style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and background elements.
step 02
Outline the figures and architectural details with a fine brush or pen.
step 03
Begin filling in the large areas of color, starting with the background.
step 04
Add the base colors for the robes and other garments.
step 05
Introduce shading and highlights to define the forms of the figures.
step 06
Carefully paint the intricate patterns on the robes and background.
step 07
Add details like facial features, hands, and the text on the scroll.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · crimson red · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · viridian green · gold

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and black to darken them. Create gold tones by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques

·flat color application
·fine line work
·pattern creation
·glazing (optional)
·hatching

common pitfalls

→overworking details too early
→inaccurate proportions of figures
→uneven color application
→muddy color mixing

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor or gouache paints
·fine detail brushes (sizes 000, 0, 1)
·watercolor paper or illustration board
·palette
·water container
·pencil

optional

·ruler
·compass
·gold leaf
·magnifying glass

Using high-quality watercolor or gouache paints will help achieve the desired vibrancy and opacity. A magnifying glass can be helpful for rendering the fine details.

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